Honda CX500 ‘Claus’ By Red Hot Chili Customs

It’s not often that we find a custom motorcycle builder we don’t know much about, and it’s especially rare when we find they’ve produced some of the most intricate bikes we’ve seen in recent months. Red Hot Chili Customs initially struck our interest with their extensive list of one-off motos that blend every riding style imaginable, and their most recent project, a Honda CX500 by the name of “Claus,” has surely set itself apart from the Polish builder’s other bikes.

The Honda CX500 in question is a venerable mish-mash of parts and styles, drawing heavy influence from both street-slaying sports bikes and heritage-honed cafe racers for a particularly attractive result. A raw finish and leather upholstery adorn the tank and seating area of the machine while Tarozzi footpegs, RHCC one-off wrapped grips, a Daytona Velona 48mm speedometer, and Motone switches give the bike a much needed “vintage” persona. For the front end of the CX500, RHCC opted to discard the original fork and suspension for a completely new setup yanked straight from a GSX-R 1000 K4, resulting in a menacing stance. Alongside the burly build, a pair of Kenda Big Block tires paint an enhanced silhouette that looks like it would be at home anywhere from the blacktop to the desert sand — and with a bike like this, we’re sure that it will be utilized to the utmost extent.